Vietnam |
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| Where To Go |
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| Hanoi |
| The center of politics, economy, social, culture, and tourism is situated on a bend of the Red River. Being a capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Hanoi is surrounded by broad, shaded boulevards, colonial mansions, and greenery public parks. Founded by King Ly Cong Uan in 1010 AD who marked the beginning of Ly Dynasty. During Ly Dynasty, a number of pagodas such as the One Pillar Pagoda and Tran Vu Temple were constructed to reflect Buddhist monarchical tradition. Later, in 1182 AD, Hanoi became the focal point of French activity in Indochina. With its long history, it is common to see a variety of tourist sites stand firm to gently welcome visitors to Hanoi. In the heart of the town is the Hoan Kiem Lake (Returned Sword) where the small Tortoise Pagoda, topped with read star placed in the middle of the lake and it is somewhat a symbol of Hanoi. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum consists the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh is an ideal place for those who would love to learn about his biography. It is open Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 0730 am to 11.00 am. (Closed in September and October) |
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| Ho Chi Minh City |
| Ho Chi Minh is the largest city in Vietnam. Previously reckoned as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh lies between Mekong Delta and South Vietnam. The city features hustle and bustle as well as timelessness and modern lifestyles of Vietnamese. At one street corner vendors and buyers are negotiating, while on the other side, monks practice their praying routines, whereas foreigners are zipping cold beer in modern night clubs in the center of town. Prior to the 15th century, Ho Chi Minh was founded by the Khmer as a fishing port, later in the late 17th century, the Vietnamese took over the area, in 1859, it was ruled by the French, a few years later, the city became the capital of the French colony of Cochin china. Once called “ Pearl of the Orient”, the city was and is a trade center for merchants from various countries. These days, a numbers of interesting attractions showcasing war crime, unique architectural style, and religious oriented sites await newcomers to glimpse their beauties in Ho Chi Minh.
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| Danang |
| The fourth largest city in Vietnam lies on river, embraced with picturesque scenery of mountains and is a gateway to splendid beaches. Sitting on a peninsula where Han River flows into the South China Sea, Danang was an important port during the 19th century. The town was named Tourane by the French, a translation of Cua Han, mouth of the Han River. Functioned as a center of trade in the past, Danang did not shy away from positioning itself as a historical restorer. In the city of Danang, remains of the powerful Champa, the kingdom that spread its ruling power to the present area of Danang in the second century AD are worth exploring. Magnificent sandstones carvings portraying images of Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu, the production of the polytheistic religious of Champa: Buddhism, Sivaism, and local elements at Cham Museum will make you revisit Danang. Though Danang has a busy port, it always welcomes visitors who want to escape from bustle lifestyles with wonderful beaches that offer variety of activities range from sunbathing to surfing. |
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| Dien Bien Phu |
| Renowned as a battlefield for the victory of the Vietnamese and army, Dien Bien Phu is one of the most remote parts of the country that located in Lai Chau province. The area of Dien Bien Phu is filled with rich fertility of forested hills. Sitting in the Muong Thanh valley, a heart-shaped basis with 20 km long and 5 km wide, the area is 16km from the Lao border. For decades, Dien Bien Phu was a stop over for the caravan from Myanmar and China to northern Vietnam. The historic victory of the Vietnamese over the French occurred in 1954 when General Henri Navarre sent a force of 12 battalions to occupy the Muong Thanh Valley to prevent the Viet Minh from crossing to Laos. For those in search of the Battle remains, please stop by the Army Museum, which is open Tuesday to Sunday from 07.30 am to 16.30 pm including Doc Lap Hill and Dien Bien Phu Cemetery. |
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| Ha Long Bay |
| One of the most picturesque areas in Vietnam is where most visitors are in love with the unique charm of more than 300 limestone rocks in stunning shapes and sizes rising from crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Literally Ha long means “ descending dragon”, as per a legend, the dragon lived in the mountain created islands around Halong Bay, upon rushing to the sea, the dragon broke up the rocks into marvelous shapes. As a consequence, islands are named after their strange shapes such as Vo (elephant) and Mai Nha (roof). Most of the islands are uninhabited, except, Cat Ba, which possesses small fishing villages for visitors to see typical modes of life of fishermen.
Situated in the northeast of Vietnam or 165 km from Hanoi, the bay is abundant with marine livings, thus snorkeling provides visitors a good chance to admire underwater world. Because of its beauty and rich in natural resources, Ha Long Bay has been declared a World Nature Heritage by UNESCO.
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| Hue |
| A fabulous historic town of Hue sits preciously on the banks of the Huong Giang or Perfume River. Established as the citadel city in 1687 under the name of Phu Xuan, which later became the capital of the southern part of Vietnam in 1744. From 1802 to 1945 under the 13 emperors of the Nguyen dynasty, functions of Hue had been extended to a center of culture, education, and religious of the entire country. Almost every visitor of Vietnam adds Hue to his traveling list, for the tranquil city of Hue is filled with fascinating architecture of royal tombs, palaces, fortresses, and notable pagodas, which dating back to Nguyen dynasty, thus it is not a wonder when UNESCO designated the complex of monuments in Hue a World Heritage Site in 1993. Worth visiting site of Hue includes the Imperial City enclosed by thick walls, canals and ten gate towers. |
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| Mai Chau |
| Getting enthralled with picturesque landscape of Mai Chau is noting new to visitors.
Situated in Hao Binh province, not far from Hanoi, upon descending from Cun Mountain, you will see majestic view of stilt houses dotted around fertile green valley. Landing in the valley means a great chance to view a real highlanders village. The area is home to White Tai ethnic, the tribe that is believed to have the same origin as the tribes living in Thailand, China, and Laos. Exploring lifestyles of the ethnic minority by staying overnight in the Tai stilt house equipped with palm leaf roofs and bamboo floor can be arranged at the village. Trekking in search of breathtaking scenery is not a big deal here- for the area of Mai Chau provides both soft and adventurous treks. It is not a hassle to try agricultural produces of bananas, corns, including traditional White Tai food if you come to the Sunday market; it is when other group of tribes comes from nearby mountains to sell their products.
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| Sapa |
| Over years, idly Sapa has satisfied visitors with its natural diversity of flora as well as the quasi-European climate on top of mountains. Set at 3,143 meters above sea level on the Hoang Lien Mountains, Sapa is the front line destination of northwestern Vietnam.
Discovered by European missionary in 1918, by 1932, the picturesque scenery of this magic land had been widely mentioned throughout French Indochina. Landing in Sapa, you will be astonished to see a variety of flowers as well as tropical fruits such as pears and apples. Strolling around the market on Saturday, one will be amazed with colorful costumes worn by the hill tribes, not to mention, they are from surrounding villages that come to exchange their agricultural products with money. The trip to Sapa can become adventurous, if you climb up the highest mountain in Indochina, Mount Fansipan or Tonkinese Alps. Soaking yourself in the charms of nature and being drifted away with sea of midst at the altitude of 3,143 is a wonderful experience. Excursions to natural wonders of Sapa such as Tha Bac, Thuy Cung Grotto, Gio Cave and Truc Forest are most recommended.
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| Lao Cai |
| Driving off the main road from Sapa to Hanoi for only one hour you will reach the main border crossing with southern China. Lao Cai is not only a simple border crossing but also a transit point for both licit and illicit trade of the two countries. In each day, people of China and Vietnam cross over the checkpoints to exchange and search of variety of products. Lao Cai is not an amateur trading transit point; it has performed an important duty of goods exchanging spot for over 1,000 years. The town of Lao Cai was established as the capital of Hung Hoa by the Viet Kings around the 1460s. After that it was governed by different rulers: from Chinese to Vietnamese as well as ethnic minority chieftains. Upon crossing the border checkpoint, it is essential to have correct exit and entry visas for both countries. Nowadays, Lao Cai is popular among railway passengers, for it is the major town at the northwest end of the rail line.
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| Dalat |
| Located amidst temperate ambience in the Central Highlands at an altitude of 1,500 meters, the pleasant Dalat is surrounded by charming landscape of lakes, waterfalls, and evergreen forests. Once called Le Petit Paris, the former French hill station allowed expiates living in lowlands to escape from the heat. Having been discovered in 1897 by a protg of Louis Pasteur, Dr. Alexandre Yersin who suggested that Dalat be developed as a hill resort, the town became a cool retreat spot for Europeans who wished to flee away from the heat of the Mekong Delta and coastal plains. With the conquest of French at one time, presently, the town holds French District featuring French architectural buildings and a replica of the Eiffel Tower. Besides manmade buildings, of course with its appropriate location and climate, Dalat is filled with Flower Gardens, various species of plants, lovely flowers such as roses and orchids. A diversity of Dalat continues to arouse your sense of adventure at Langbian Highlands, home to numerous ethnic minorities. |
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| Quang Binh |
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